Viognier – From the Rhône Valley to the Cape
Viognier travels from the Rhône Valley to the Cape: in 1996, Charles Back of Fairview planted South Africa's first vines of this demanding variety, and in 1998 the country's first bottling appeared – big, ripe and heavily oaked.
Buy Viognier wine now: ideal for anyone who loves aromatic, full-bodied white wines and is ready to venture beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc – from Eagles' Nest's award-winning Constantia bottling to Fairview's Rhône classic.
Sutherland Viognier Roussanne
- Thelema Mountain Vineyards
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Elgin
- Viognier - blend
- Tim Atkin 2026: 93 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€24.67* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
The Wolftrap White
- Boekenhoutskloof
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Western Cape
- Viognier - blend
- Jahrgang 2024 - John Platter: 4 Sterne
- Jahrgang 2024 - Tim Atkin 2025: 89 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€11.07* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Viognier
- Creation Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Cape South Coast
- Viognier
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 90 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€20.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Viognier
- Vrede en Lust
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Elgin
- Viognier
- Winemagazine South Africa 2025: 90 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€25.20* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Signature Viognier
- Alvi's Drift
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Breedekloof
- Viognier
- South African Wine Index 2025: Grand Gold Certificate of Excellence
Content: 0.75 Litre (€11.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Age of Grace Viognier
- Lismore Estate Vineyards
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Cape South Coast
- Viognier
- Tim Atkin 2023: 93 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€31.93* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Age of Grace Viognier
- Lismore Estate Vineyards
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Cape South Coast
- Viognier
- Tim Atkin 2024: 93 Points
- Neal Martin: 95 Points
Content: 0.75 Litre (€33.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Viognier
- Saronsberg Estate
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Tulbagh
- Viognier
- John Platter: 4 Sterne / 88 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€26.53* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Goats do Roam White
- Fairview Estate
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Western Cape
- Viognier - blend
- John Platter: 3.5 Stars / 85 Points
Content: 0.75 Litre (€12.73* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Reserve Viognier
- Eagles' Nest
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Constantia
- Viognier
- John Platter: 4 stars / 88 points
- Tim Atkin 2024: 91 points
- Winemagazine South Africa 2025: 89 points
Content: 0.75 Litre (€33.07* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Viognier
- Eagles' Nest
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Constantia
- Viognier
- Tim Atkin 2024: 91 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€34.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Estate Reserve Viognier
- Lismore Estate Vineyards
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Greyton
- Viognier
- Tim Atkin 2024: 96 Punkte
- Winemagazine South Africa 2024:94 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€65.33* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Viognier in South Africa
Viognier is grown across all wine regions, with Paarl leading, followed by Swartland and Stellenbosch. Today the variety ranks 16th among South Africa's most widely planted grapes – a niche player, but one of growing importance. The grapes ripen early (late January to mid-February) and require careful trellising, as they're susceptible to downy mildew and botrytis on fertile soils.[1]
1996 – Charles Back Brings Viognier to the Cape
Charles Back of Fairview Estate in Paarl planted South Africa's first Viognier vines in 1996, on less than half a hectare. The 1998 maiden release was big, ripe and heavily oaked – a typical style for the early years, when apricot and floral aromas often came across as "strident." The style has since become noticeably more refined: modern South African Viogniers favour elegance over perfume, with apricot merely hinted at rather than thrust forward.[2]
Flavours and Style
Typical notes in South African Viognier include orange blossom, peach, tropical fruit, honey and exotic spices. Although the variety also thrives in warm sites, it develops its most characterful aromatic profile in cooler locations – such as on high southern slopes or in areas exposed to cool summer breezes. Increasingly, Viognier is also used as a blending partner with Grenache, Chenin Blanc and Marsanne.[1][2]
Eagles' Nest – Viognier from the Clouds
High in the mountains of Constantia, on a 38.4-hectare property with terraced, steep slopes between 140 and 400 metres in elevation, lies Eagles' Nest. With summer temperatures of 25–28°C, it stays noticeably cooler here than in Paarl's roughly 35°C heat. The land historically belonged to the Groot Constantia estate and was taken over by the Mylrea family in 1984 as a fruit and vegetable farm; it took a fire in 2000 to prompt the conversion of the land into vineyards. Their 2008 vintage Viognier scored 93 out of 100 points – powerful and aromatic, yet still focused and dry on the palate.[2]
Food Pairing
Viognier's floral, creamy style pairs beautifully with spicy Asian dishes, roast poultry and creamy curries. Try it with a Thai curry or honey-mustard chicken.
Buy Viognier From Us
Whether a heavily oaked classic from Fairview or a cool, elegant mountain wine from Eagles' Nest – our range features South Africa's finest Viognier. Order online now, conveniently and easily.
Frequently Asked Questions About Viognier
- Who brought Viognier to South Africa?
Charles Back of Fairview Estate planted the first vines in 1996; the first bottling appeared in 1998.
Where is Viognier mainly grown in South Africa?
Paarl leads, followed by Swartland and Stellenbosch; overall the variety remains a niche player, ranking 16th among the country's most widely planted grapes.
What does South African Viognier taste like?
Orange blossom, peach, tropical fruit, honey and exotic spices – modern styles favour elegance over strident perfume.
Why is Eagles' Nest known for Viognier?
Its high-altitude, terraced vineyards in the Constantia mountains offer notably cooler conditions than neighbouring regions – their 2008 vintage Viognier scored 93 out of 100 points.
Why does Viognier grow better in cooler sites?
Although the variety also thrives in warm locations, it develops its finest aromatic profile in cooler sites with elevation or summer breezes.
What foods pair well with Viognier?
Spicy Asian dishes, roast poultry and creamy curries pair particularly well, such as Thai curry or honey-mustard chicken.
How should Viognier be served?
As a full-bodied, aromatic white wine, it shows best lightly chilled at around 12–14°C rather than served too cold.
Is Viognier a rare variety in South Africa?
Ranking 16th among the most widely planted grapes, Viognier remains a niche player, though its importance has grown steadily since the 1990s.
Which Viogniers are considered South Africa's best?
According to Vivino, Creation, Eagles' Nest and Lismore rank among the country's highest-rated Viogniers – all three also available in our range.